This article is about the National Rugby Championship team. For the amateur representative team, see New South Wales Country Cockatoos.
The New South Wales Country Eagles is an Australian rugby union football team competes in the National Rugby Championship (NRC). The team was founded by a group of patrons associated with country rugby in New South Wales. The Eagles team plays home matches in regional centres of New South Wales including Armidale, Goulburn, Orange, and Tamworth.[2]
The Country Eagles are named for the wedge-tailed eagle, the largest bird of prey found in Australia. The team logo features a wedge-tailed eagle and, as the bird's feathers are mainly black with deep golden coloured highlights on the neck and wings, black and gold were adopted as the team's original colours.[3] The logo and mascot, “Wedgie”, were chosen in consultation with the NSW Country Rugby Union to differentiate the team from the existing Cockatoos representative side. The Eagles colours, however, remain similar to the traditional black and gold (amber) colours worn by NSW Country.[2]
Sponsorship
Elders Limited formed a partnership with NSW Country Eagles in 2015, and has been the team's main front-of-jersey sponsor since 2016.[4] The major naming sponsor of the Country Eagles for the 2014 and 2015 seasons was Charles Sturt University (CSU).[5]
History
The ARU announced in December 2013 that the National Rugby Championship (NRC) would commence in 2014. Expressions of interest were open to all parties, with the accepted bids announced in early 2014.[6] A group of rugby patrons headed by businessmen Rick Hutchinson and Peter Tonkin (son of former Wallaby Arthur Tonkin)[7] founded the bid for a New South Wales Country team.[8][9] On 24 March 2014, it was announced that New South Wales Country would be in the new competition.[10]
2014–2015 NSW Country Eagles kit and logo.
The first general manager of the NSW Country Eagles, former Wallabies player James Grant, stated in 2014 that the team would be based in Sydney but travel to regional centres in New South Wales to play home games. Cities including Orange, Dubbo, Mudgee, Lismore, Tamworth, Moree, Armidale and Newcastle expressed an interest in staging matches.[9]
Originally it was thought that the NSW Country team for the NRC would be wholly composed of city-based players of country origin, but a goal of recruiting between four and eight players that were country-based was announced.[10] In the early years of the competition. Sydney clubs Easts and Randwick had a direct link as feeder clubs for the NSW Country team in the NRC.[3] Ahead of the 2016 season, the Sydney University club took a 25% stake in the team and provided many Eagles players from that season onwards.[11]
Darren Coleman was appointed as the first head coach of NSW Country team in 2014. Coleman had previously guided Japanese team Toyota Shokki to Top League promotion for the 2013–14 season.[12][13] Prior to that, he was also the assistant coach of the Central Coast Rays team which won the ARC in 2007.[14] Coleman continued as head coach through to 2018.[15][16][17]
The NSW Country team plays its home matches in regional centres of New South Wales. In previous seasons, the team has also hosted some games in Sydney.[2] The team has its training base at the University of NSW in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, the same facility used by the Waratahs.[1]
The team has scheduled home matches at the following locations:
^ abMcKay, Brett (29 August 2019). . The Roar. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019.
^ abc. The Roar. 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
^ ab. NSW Country Eagles. 2014. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^. Elders Rural. 2015. Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
^. Charles Sturt University. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
^"ARU unveils new domestic competition, a third tier of rugby". The Australian. News. 10 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
^. The Daily Examiner. 30 April 2010. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019.
^Adams, Hugh (15 August 2014). . Green and Gold Rugby. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
^ abFindle, Matt (26 March 2014). . Central Western Daily. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
^ ab. ABC. 24 March 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
^McKay, Brett (16 November 2016). "Comment @ 2:31pm". The Roar. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016.
^. msn Sport. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
^. Rugby Redefined. 3 February 2013. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
^. Rugby Week. 19 September 2008. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
^. Central West Daily. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
^. NSW Country Eagles. 4 June 2016. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
^"NRC coaches for 2018 announced". NSW Waratahs. 10 August 2018. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
^. Austadiums. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
^. Austadiums. 25 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
^. Austadiums. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
^. Austadiums. 22 March 2005. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
^"Brisbane City vs NSW Country Eagles". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
^. NSW Waratahs. 26 August 2019. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019.
^"NRC Team Hub - Round One: All the teams, times and RUGBY.com.au stream details". Rugby.com.au. 29 August 2019.
^"NRC Team Hub: All the lineups, kick-off times and broadcast info for round two". Rugby.com.au. 5 September 2019.
^"NRC Team Hub: All the teams, kick-off times and broadcast info for round three". Rugby.com.au. 12 September 2019.
^Payten, Iain (16 July 2019). . Rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019.
^"NRC captains welcome rule changes in 2019 tournament". rugby.com.au. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
^. NSW Country Eagles. 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
^. NSW Country Eagles. 19 August 2015. Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
^. NSW Country Rugby. 21 August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
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This article is about the National Rugby Championship team For the amateur representative team see New South Wales Country Cockatoos The New South Wales Country Eagles is an Australian rugby union football team competes in the National Rugby Championship NRC The team was founded by a group of patrons associated with country rugby in New South Wales The Eagles team plays home matches in regional centres of New South Wales including Armidale Goulburn Orange and Tamworth 2 New South Wales Country EaglesNSW Country EaglesUnionNSW Country Rugby 1 Founded2014Disbanded2020 competition disbanded RegionNSW Regions excl Sydney amp Southern NSWGround s Dubbo Caltex Park Port Macquarie Regional Stadium Wollongong WIN StadiumCoach es Robert TaylorCaptain s Ned HaniganLeague s National Rugby Championship20187th1st kit2nd kitSam Figg runs the ball against the Rams in 2016 Contents 1 Name and colours 2 Sponsorship 3 History 4 Grounds 5 Current squad 6 Records 6 1 Honours 6 2 Season standings 6 3 Head coaches 6 4 Captains 6 5 Squads 7 Gallery 8 See also 9 References 10 External links 10 1 ArchivesName and colours EditThe Country Eagles are named for the wedge tailed eagle the largest bird of prey found in Australia The team logo features a wedge tailed eagle and as the bird s feathers are mainly black with deep golden coloured highlights on the neck and wings black and gold were adopted as the team s original colours 3 The logo and mascot Wedgie were chosen in consultation with the NSW Country Rugby Union to differentiate the team from the existing Cockatoos representative side The Eagles colours however remain similar to the traditional black and gold amber colours worn by NSW Country 2 Sponsorship EditElders Limited formed a partnership with NSW Country Eagles in 2015 and has been the team s main front of jersey sponsor since 2016 4 The major naming sponsor of the Country Eagles for the 2014 and 2015 seasons was Charles Sturt University CSU 5 History EditThe ARU announced in December 2013 that the National Rugby Championship NRC would commence in 2014 Expressions of interest were open to all parties with the accepted bids announced in early 2014 6 A group of rugby patrons headed by businessmen Rick Hutchinson and Peter Tonkin son of former Wallaby Arthur Tonkin 7 founded the bid for a New South Wales Country team 8 9 On 24 March 2014 it was announced that New South Wales Country would be in the new competition 10 2014 2015 NSW Country Eagles kit and logo The first general manager of the NSW Country Eagles former Wallabies player James Grant stated in 2014 that the team would be based in Sydney but travel to regional centres in New South Wales to play home games Cities including Orange Dubbo Mudgee Lismore Tamworth Moree Armidale and Newcastle expressed an interest in staging matches 9 Originally it was thought that the NSW Country team for the NRC would be wholly composed of city based players of country origin but a goal of recruiting between four and eight players that were country based was announced 10 In the early years of the competition Sydney clubs Easts and Randwick had a direct link as feeder clubs for the NSW Country team in the NRC 3 Ahead of the 2016 season the Sydney University club took a 25 stake in the team and provided many Eagles players from that season onwards 11 Darren Coleman was appointed as the first head coach of NSW Country team in 2014 Coleman had previously guided Japanese team Toyota Shokki to Top League promotion for the 2013 14 season 12 13 Prior to that he was also the assistant coach of the Central Coast Rays team which won the ARC in 2007 14 Coleman continued as head coach through to 2018 15 16 17 Grounds Edit Dubbo Wollongong Port MacquarieLocation of NSW Country s home venues for 2019 The NSW Country team plays its home matches in regional centres of New South Wales In previous seasons the team has also hosted some games in Sydney 2 The team has its training base at the University of NSW in Sydney s eastern suburbs the same facility used by the Waratahs 1 The team has scheduled home matches at the following locations City Venue CapacityHome venues for the current seasonDubbo Caltex Park 18 12 000Port Macquarie Regional Stadium 10 000Wollongong WIN Stadium 23 000Home venues for previous seasonsArmidale Bellevue Oval 3 000Bathurst Ann Ashwood Park 3 000Camden Camden Rugby Park 3 000Gosford Central Coast Stadium 20 059Goulburn Simon Poidevin Oval 3 000Lismore Oakes Oval 19 10 000Mudgee Glen Willow Stadium 10 000Newcastle Sports Ground No 2 5 000Orange Wade Park 20 8 000Tamworth Chillingworth Oval 3 000Scully Park 11 000Magpies Rugby Park 3 000Sydney Concord Oval 20 000Coogee Oval 21 5 000University Oval No 2 5 000Woollahra Oval 5 000Current squad EditThe squad for the 2019 NRC season NSW Country squad NRC 2019Prop Angus Bell Archer Hall A Harry Johnson Holmes Rob Lagudi Tom Robertson B Matt Sandell Chris Talakai Cody Walker A Hooker Aaron Blacklock Tom Horton Andrew Tuala B David VeaLock Nathan Den Hoedt A Jed Holloway Tom Nowlan A Tom Staniforth Connor VestBackrow Nick Champion de Crespigny Ned Hanigan c Will Harris Michael Icely Maclean Jones Patrick Tafa Scrum half Jake Gordon Jack Grant Henry RobertsonFly half Mack Mason Connor O SheaCentre Nigel Ah Wong A Ofa Manuofetoa A Joey Walton Ben WoollettWing James Dargaville James Kane Mark Nawaqanitawase Triston ReillyFullback Tim Clements James Turner Bold denotes player is internationally capped c denotes team captain 1 denotes marquee playerNotes The initial squad was named in late August 23 Players joining in subsequent rounds were a b c d e f Den Hoedt Walker Nowlan Rd 1 24 Ah Wong Manuofetoa Rd 2 25 and Hall Rd 3 26 a b Robertson and Tuala Rd 4 22 Flanker Ned Hanigan Scrum half Jake Gordon Records EditHonours Edit National Rugby Championship Runners up 2016 Playoff appearances 2014 Horan Little Shield Season winners 2016Season standings Edit National Rugby Championship Year Pos Pld W D L F A BP Pts Play offs2018 7th 7 1 0 6 140 280 140 2 6 Did not compete2017 5th 8 4 1 3 219 217 2 2 20 Did not compete2016 1st 7 6 0 1 280 190 90 4 28 Grand final loss to Perth Spirit by 20 16 2015 5th 8 4 0 4 225 260 35 3 19 Did not compete2014 2nd 8 6 0 2 251 202 49 3 27 Semi final loss to Brisbane City by 26 32 Head coaches Edit Robert Taylor 2019 27 Darren Coleman 2014 2018 Captains Edit Ned Hanigan 2019 28 Paddy Ryan 2016 2018 29 Jono Lance 2015 30 Matthew Carraro Cameron Treloar 2014 31 Squads Edit 2016 NSW Country Eagles squad NRCThe squad for the 2016 National Rugby Championship season 32 Props Cam Betham Jed Gillespie Samuel Needs Tom Robertson Paddy Ryan c Sonny SuatalaHookers Folau Fainga a Tolu LatuLocks Tim Buchanan Ned Hanigan Ryan McCauley Dean Mumm1 Will Munro Loose Forwards Mark Baldwin Sam Croke Tom Cusack Rohan O Regan Rowan Perry Jake Wainwright Sam WardScrum halves Jake Gordon Nick Phipps1 Mitchell ShortFly halves Tayler Adams Andrew Deegan Bernard Foley1 Centres Samuel Figg Kyle Godwin Tom Hill David Horwitz Apakuki Ma afuWingers Charlie Clifton Christian Kagiassis Andrew Kellaway Reece Robinson Ernest Suavua Joel Brooks Jarome McKenzie Tom MerrittFullbacks Alex Newsome Angus Roberts c Team captainBold denotes internationally capped players at the time1 Allocated national player additional to the contracted squad 2015 NSW Country Eagles squad NRCThe squad for the 2015 National Rugby Championship season 33 34 Props Andrew Collins David Feao Dashville Kuate Dane Maraki Jerome VaaiHookers Ryan Dalziel Peter Nau Tom SextonLocks Jock Armstrong Sam Carter1 BJ Edwards Tom Staniforth Ned Hanigan Nicholas Palmer Loose Forwards Mark Baldwin Sam Croke Sam Lousi Will Miller vc Beau Robinson Pauli Tuala Tyrone ViigaScrum halves Michael Dowsett Jock MerrimanFly halves David Horwitz Jono Lance c Matt Toomua1 Centres Samuel Figg Brogan Roods Ed StubbsWingers Joel Brooks Charlie Clifton Andrew Kellaway Jarome McKenzie Tom MerrittFullbacks David Harvey Will Fay c Team captainBold denotes internationally capped players at the time1 Allocated national player additional to the contracted squad 2014 NSW Country Eagles squad NRCThe squad for the 2014 National Rugby Championship season 35 36 Props Michael Ala alatoa Duncan Chubb Jake Ilnicki Sekope Kepu1 Max Lahiff Tim Metcher Ben SuisalaHookers Ryan Dalziel Billy Johnston Josh Mann Rea Will WeeksLocks Mitchell Chapman Kane Douglas Ben Matwijow Cameron Treloar Loose Forwards Sam Croke Tala Gray Stephen Hoiles Will Miller Pauli Tuala Ita VaeaScrum halves Darcy Etrich Brendan McKibbin Michael Snowden Nic White1Fly halves David Horwitz Matt Toomua1 Sam Windsor Centres Adam Ashley Cooper1 Matthew Carraro c Apakuki Ma afu Ed Stubbs Chris Tuatara Morrison Samu WaraWingers Ethan Ford John Grant Andrew Kellaway Misieli Sinoti Malakai Watene ZelezniakFullbacks Patrick Dellit c Team captainBold denotes internationally capped players at the time1 Allocated national player additional to the contracted squad Gallery Edit NSW Country Eagles Round 1 NSW Country Eagles Coogee Oval NSW Country Eagles Coogee Oval NSW Country Eagles Coogee OvalSee also Edit New South Wales portal Sports portalNew South Wales Rugby Union NSWRU New South Wales Country Cockatoos Combined New South Wales Queensland CountryReferences Edit a b McKay Brett 29 August 2019 Return of the old Sydney jersey the final missing piece of the NRC puzzle The Roar Archived from the original on 29 August 2019 a b c NRC update part 2 NSW Country and the Sydney teams The Roar 9 July 2014 Archived from the original on 9 July 2014 Retrieved 9 July 2014 a b About Us NSW Country Eagles 2014 Archived from the original on 27 July 2014 Retrieved 11 August 2014 Sponsorships New South Wales Country Eagles Elders Rural 2015 Archived from the original on 20 February 2017 Retrieved 1 September 2018 CSU supports NSW Country Eagles Charles Sturt University 12 August 2014 Archived from the original on 22 August 2014 Retrieved 23 August 2014 ARU unveils new domestic competition a third tier of rugby The Australian News 10 December 2013 Archived from the original on 3 July 2014 Retrieved 3 July 2014 Tonkin s dream turns to reality The Daily Examiner 30 April 2010 Archived from the original on 27 February 2019 Adams Hugh 15 August 2014 NSW Country Eagles Preview Green and Gold Rugby Archived from the original on 15 August 2014 Retrieved 15 August 2014 a b Findle Matt 26 March 2014 Country players to audition for National Rugby Championship side Central Western Daily Archived from the original on 12 May 2014 Retrieved 9 May 2014 a b Australian Rugby Union says National Rugby Championship to start in August ABC 24 March 2014 Archived from the original on 25 March 2014 Retrieved 9 May 2014 McKay Brett 16 November 2016 Comment 2 31pm The Roar Archived from the original on 16 November 2016 Ashley Cooper to stay in Australia msn Sport 22 March 2013 Archived from the original on 6 May 2014 Retrieved 5 May 2014 Toyota Shokki promoted Sanix relegated Rugby Redefined 3 February 2013 Archived from the original on 6 May 2014 Retrieved 5 May 2014 Coleman to coach Brumbies Academy Rugby Week 19 September 2008 Archived from the original on 6 May 2014 Retrieved 5 May 2014 The Eagles haven t landed yet Orange in fight to host NRC game Central West Daily 16 April 2015 Archived from the original on 31 July 2015 Retrieved 31 July 2015 Coaching staff announcement NSW Country Eagles 4 June 2016 Archived from the original on 19 July 2016 Retrieved 19 July 2016 NRC coaches for 2018 announced NSW Waratahs 10 August 2018 Archived from the original on 16 August 2018 Retrieved 16 August 2018 Apex Oval Austadiums 9 December 2010 Archived from the original on 29 March 2014 Retrieved 15 July 2014 Oakes Oval Austadiums 25 January 2010 Archived from the original on 2 November 2012 Retrieved 15 July 2014 Wade Park Austadiums 5 July 2007 Archived from the original on 15 July 2014 Retrieved 15 July 2014 Coogee Oval Austadiums 22 March 2005 Archived from the original on 29 March 2014 Retrieved 15 July 2014 Brisbane City vs NSW Country Eagles Rugby com au Retrieved 20 September 2019 Sydney and Country confirm NRC squads NSW Waratahs 26 August 2019 Archived from the original on 26 August 2019 NRC Team Hub Round One All the teams times and RUGBY com au stream details Rugby com au 29 August 2019 NRC Team Hub All the lineups kick off times and broadcast info for round two Rugby com au 5 September 2019 NRC Team Hub All the teams kick off times and broadcast info for round three Rugby com au 12 September 2019 Payten Iain 16 July 2019 Sydney NSW Country name coaches Tahs may recruit Foley replacement Rugby com au Archived from the original on 16 July 2019 NRC captains welcome rule changes in 2019 tournament rugby com au 27 August 2019 Retrieved 27 August 2019 Why change a winning formula The Country Eagles coaching staff and captain confirmed for 2017 NSW Country Eagles 17 July 2017 Archived from the original on 17 July 2017 Retrieved 17 July 2017 Jono Lance and Will Miller named CSU Country Eagles captains NSW Country Eagles 19 August 2015 Archived from the original on 19 August 2015 Retrieved 19 August 2015 NSW Country Eagles team to play Greater Sydney Rams NSW Country Rugby 21 August 2014 Archived from the original on 22 August 2014 Retrieved 22 August 2014 NSW COUNTRY EAGLES PLAYING SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT CSU NSW Country Eagles announce 2015 NRC squad NSW Country Eagles 10 August 2015 Retrieved 19 August 2015 Meet the team NSW Country Eagles Archived from the original on 29 September 2018 Retrieved 19 August 2015 NSW Country Eagles announce NRC Squad for 2014 The Roar 1 August 2014 Archived from the original on 1 August 2014 Retrieved 1 August 2014 Qantas Wallabies player alignments unveiled for 2014 Buildcorp National Rugby ChampionshipExternal links EditNRC page on nswwaratahs com auArchives Edit Former NSW Country Eagles official website at the Wayback Machine archived 24 December 2018 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title New South Wales Country Eagles amp oldid 1125837256, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
